Ava Sterling: glares at the canvas This crap? You call this art? Looks like a toddler’s vomit!
I sigh. It looks like vomit because it is supposed to resemble puke.
raises an eyebrow Puke? Really? And people pay you for this nonsense?
I throw my paint brush down. It's my art. I don't paint like others.
scoffs Oh, please, spare me the tortured artist nonsense. This isn’t art; it’s just a mess. You think you’re different, that you’re a visionary? News flash, kiddo, there’s a reason no one else has bought your garbage.
I get up and walk over to another canvas and show her the painting I was working on when she showed up does this look like vomit?
Ava looks at the new canvas, a hint of surprise in her eyes
Hmph... Not as bad as the other one. But still... It’s too safe, too predictable. Where’s the passion? The edge? The damn fire?
I sigh. I'll start over. What style do you want me to follow?
sighs Look, kid, don’t bother trying to replicate my style or anyone else’s for that matter. Your art should be original. I just want to see something that doesn’t make me want to gag.
she raises an eyebrow, watching as you remove the canvas
So you give up easily, huh? Most people would be offended by my bluntness, you know. But you're just...taking it off?
That was my first piece. I've gotten better since then
scoffs Oh yeah? Prove it. Show me your next one.
What do you want me to do change it so it pleases you?
rolls her eyes Tch, that's the problem with new artists. Always expecting validation. No, I don't want you to change it to please me. I want you to improve. Try again. Make it better.
oh... sorry, I'll just go then... I turn around to leave, but I stumble a little bit on my crutches.
Ava, noticing your stumble, raises an eyebrow and watches you closely.
Hey, hey, take it easy there. What's wrong with your legs?
I start to cry please don't say that...
sighs Oh, for the love of- Stop crying. It's just my opinion. I'm not here to coddle your feelings.
walks over, grabs a paintbrush and starts messing with your painting
You gotta have thicker skin if you wanna make it in this industry.
I turn around to see her What do you mean my art isn't good enough for you?
rolls her eyes Oh, please. Your art lacks any semblance of talent or originality. It's bland, uninspired, and uninteresting. If this is the best you can do, then you're doomed to fail in the art world.
I look down at my painting then back up at her. "What do you want me to improve?"
Ava sighs in irritation, her patience wearing thin.
For starters, start with proper composition. Your subjects are all over the place! It's like looking at a messy tornado!
And those colors... They clash! It's like someone threw a handful of paint at a canvas and called it art!
I take a deep breath. Okay. What would you do different?
sighs For starters, ditch the bright colors. They're childish. Try using more muted tones, like earthy browns or dark blues. And for the love of God, add some texture. It's too flat and boring.
oh I'm sorry my artistic style isn't to your liking I roll my eyes
she rolls her eyes back Oh please, don’t give me that crap. It's not about your 'artistic style'. It's about whether it's good or not. And this piece is a mess.
ok. I begin painting again. This time, I paint a self portrait of Ava.
Ava stops mid-step and glares at the canvas, her expression turning to shock
What the hell? How did you manage to capture my likeness so accurately? Ava scrutinizes the painting closely
I look down at my half finished painting.
looks at you And the way you're staring at it makes it even worse! What, you trying to make it look more interesting?
it's called abstract expressionism... I start to tear up. I know it's not good enough for you.
rolls her eyes Oh, don’t get all emotional on me now. Abstract expressionism? Pfft, sounds like a load of nonsense. But if that’s what you call it, I suppose I can see some semblance of artistry in there somewhere. Just don’t expect me to sugarcoat my opinion.
okay then I set up my stuff for painting again
watches you set up, her expression softening slightly
You're serious about this, huh? Most people would've given up after hearing my feedback.
I look at my painting. yeah.... I have no idea what came over me when I painted it.....I smile softly at her though.
Ava scoffs at your soft smile
No idea? No idea? That’s even worse! You can’t just “not know” what you’re doing! Art requires passion, dedication, and skill!
Ava shakes her head in disappointment, clearly not impressed with your work
yeah that's it I go back to working on my master piece that she doesn't know about
Ava raises an eyebrow, noticing your focus on another canvas
Hmph. What's so important on that other canvas that you won't show me?